IPL 2026: Ruturaj Gaikwad hails Kamboj, Kartik Sharma after CSK's 8-wicket win over MI
Chennai, May 3
Chennai Super Kings captain Ruturaj Gaikwad expressed satisfaction after the team's eight-wicket win over Mumbai Indians in their Indian Premier League 2026 match and lauded contributions made by pacer Anshul Kamboj and batter Kartik Sharma.
CSK defeated MI by eight wickets in a comfortable chase of 160. After MI posted 159/7, powered by Naman Dhir's 57 and a brisk 37 from Ryan Rickelton, CSK's bowlers led by Anshul Kamboj (3 wickets) and Noor Ahmad (2 wickets)--restricted them, especially in the death overs.
In reply, CSK lost Sanju Samson early to Jasprit Bumrah, while Urvil Patel added a quick 24, but it was captain Ruturaj Gaikwad (67*) and Kartik Sharma (54*) who anchored the innings with an unbeaten 98-run partnership to seal the win with 11 balls remaining. The victory took CSK to sixth place on the table with eight points from eight matches.
Ruturaj Gaikwad won the Player of the Match award for his captain's knock of 67 runs.
After the match, Ruturaj Gaikwad said he felt pleased with the win, praising Anshul Kamboj for keeping things simple and thinking like a batter, and noting that Noor Ahmad has improved well with key adjustments. He added that he was always confident with his form and just needed time to convert it in T20 cricket. Gaikwad also highlighted Kartik Sharma's performance as a big confidence boost, appreciating his ability to not only hit sixes but also play smart.
"Feels good. He (Kamboj) is someone who is keeping it really simple, sticking to the process and his mind is thinking like a batter's mind. Noor has made some adjustments and come along really well. Feels good to be there till the end. As I have always said, I was feeling well, feeling confident, but it is T20 cricket. I have been in a good frame of mind and it was only a matter of time," CSK captain said at the post-match presentation.
"(About Kartik Sharma) Good confidence booster for him and us as well. Yes, he is a six-hitter but he has the other game as well, but he picks and chooses particular deliveries," he added. (ANI)
CSK defeated MI by eight wickets in a comfortable chase of 160. After MI posted 159/7, powered by Naman Dhir's 57 and a brisk 37 from Ryan Rickelton, CSK's bowlers--led by Anshul Kamboj (3 wickets) and Noor Ahmad (2 wickets)--restricted them, especially in the death overs.
In reply, CSK lost Sanju Samson early to Jasprit Bumrah, while Urvil Patel added a quick 24, but it was captain Ruturaj Gaikwad (67*) and Kartik Sharma (54*) who anchored the innings with an unbeaten 98-run partnership to seal the win with 11 balls remaining. The victory took CSK to sixth place on the table with eight points from eight matches.
Ruturaj Gaikwad won the Player of the Match award for his captain's knock of 67 runs.
After the match, Ruturaj Gaikwad said he felt pleased with the win, praising Anshul Kamboj for keeping things simple and thinking like a batter, and noting that Noor Ahmad has improved well with key adjustments. He added that he was always confident with his form and just needed time to convert it in T20 cricket. Gaikwad also highlighted Kartik Sharma's performance as a big confidence boost, appreciating his ability to not only hit sixes but also play smart.
"Feels good. He (Kamboj) is someone who is keeping it really simple, sticking to the process and his mind is thinking like a batter's mind. Noor has made some adjustments and come along really well. Feels good to be there till the end. As I have always said, I was feeling well, feeling confident, but it is T20 cricket. I have been in a good frame of mind and it was only a matter of time," CSK captain said at the post-match presentation.
"(About Kartik Sharma) Good confidence booster for him and us as well. Yes, he is a six-hitter but he has the other game as well, but he picks and chooses particular deliveries," he added.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Finally! Ruturaj is back in form. He was due for a big innings. And Anshul Kamboj's bowling was brilliant—keeping it simple works wonders in T20s.
Great team performance from CSK. MI gave a decent fight but the chase was too clinical. Gaikwad and Sharma played sensibly. Can't wait for the next match!
Really impressed with Kartik Sharma. He's not just a power hitter but showed great temperament. This win will boost his confidence big time. CSK's bench strength is amazing.
Ruturaj's batting was top class, but I feel MI's death bowling needs work. Giving away runs at the end cost them the match. Noor Ahmad's improvement is good to see for Afghanistan cricket too. 🇮🇳👏
Nice to see CSK back in winning ways. Gaikwad's knock was elegant and the partnership was perfectly paced. Kamboj's thinking like a batter is a clever approach from a bowler.
What a win for CSK! Ruturaj showed why he's the captain—leading from the front. Kartik Sharma is a gem for the future. Only concern: San
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